Day 546: Galatians 2- Living By Faith

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
Paul Opposes Peter11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Justified by Faith15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

​Meditation
God offers freedom through His astounding grace. There are many people who forfeit freedom by choosing to add to the gospel. They verbally say, “God’s grace is enough to forgive me!” but practically live as if what Christ has accomplished is not enough, performing for a pardon. Do you live in freedom or does your life “nullify the grace of God” (21)?
 
Paul opposed the apostle Peter “to his face” because “his conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel” (11-14). Peter feared the circumcision party and publicly supported a false gospel, faith in Christ + circumcision = forgiveness. Any gospel that includes human performance as a qualification for forgiveness is a false gospel.
 
Paul came to Jerusalem with Titus, an uncircumcised gentile, to have his call to take the gospel to Gentiles externally confirmed by church leaders (1-10). Paul proclaimed the gospel clearly; a person is forgiven (made right with God- Justified) by faith in Christ alone. To add a work of the law like circumcision (or any other work) is to rebuild what Christ tore down. We are forgiven to freely live with God (15-19).
 
We have been “crucified with Christ.” The penalty for our sin has been totally paid! Jesus loved us by “giving Himself for us” (20). Faith receives the gift of His grace.
 
The ground of grace compels us to walk in freedom- In Christ Jesus you are forgiven!
 
Richly Dwelling
-Does your life reflect a salvation by faith alone, that is you are fully forgiven through the work of Christ and free to walk in His love?
 
-What are specific ways you add to the gospel, forfeiting freedom by adding your effort to be made right with God?
 
-Christ has loved you and given Himself for you! How does the embrace of His grace grow a desire to walk in freedom? What can this look like for you today?
 
Key Verse
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.